Electroautomatic laundering machine



Jan. 16, 1951 D. F. BERNHARDT ELECTROAUTOMATIC LAUNDERING MACHINE 5 SheetsSheet l F 11.56. Nov.

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ELECTROAUTOMATIC LAUNDERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 may (2 6 I m'vnlor I zavzfiffiernkard'i 9 5U"; 9mm

WW m D. F. BERNHARDT ELECTROAUTOMATIC LAUNDERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 16, 1951 SEZECTOR 64M SWITCf/ES ave/r Filed Nov. 1, 1944 v 72 73 69 70 g m w 47 46 q z 66 a6 33H? f 63" 4! L- 7f I nventor Jan. 16, 1951 D. F. BERNHARDT 2,533,290

ELECTROAUTOMATIC LAUNDERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I nz'enlor Fawziffierzzkard M D. F. BERNHARDT ELECTROAUTOMATIC LAUNDERING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 1, 1344 Inventor Zia): draw-maids M Patented Jan. 16, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,538,290 nwc'moao'rom'nc momma mom 6 Claims.

traction operations in sequence after the attendant control mechanism has been properly set, with less wear on clothes than that resulting from known existing laundering methods.

Another prime object is to provide a machine, free from vibration, and of such possible dimensions, a minimum of floor space is required, not known to exist in other machines of this class.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an automatic laundering machine wherein a time controlled unit is employed for not only switching on various functional features of the machine but also regulating the duration of operation thereof.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an electro-automatic laundering machine which is substantially foolproof in operation and not susceptible to the ready development of defects.

Various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the machine showing the diaphragmin the act of moving upwardly.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing part of the foraminous cover for the diaphragm broken away. v

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the automatic water charger.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing the solenoid valve.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections between the electrical elements employed in conjunction with the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the solenoid operated reversing switch.

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing one of the cam operated mercury switches such as may be employed as a variation of the contact points shown in Figure 5 in conjunction with the selector cam control,-or some other circuit maker and breaker.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the water charger.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the hydrostatic controller gauge adapted for use in conjunction with the hydraulic type of ,machine shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 shows. a ram or hydraulic type of motor reversing switch means.

; Figure 12 is a complete diagrammatic view showing the electrical connection between the electrical elements employed in conjunction with the hydraulic type of machine shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections between the electrical devices employed in conjunction with the water charger employing a thermostatic control unit for direct feed to tub.

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the solenoid operated inlet valve for direct feed to tub.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary top plan view of the lid for the tub. 1

Figure 16 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a beam type variation of the switch operating springs of Figure l and the hydraulic means of Figure 11.

The apparatus consists of a base frame ring 5 from which a plurality of P sts 6 rise to a top frame ring 6a forming a so-called squirrel cage structure, so designed as to withstand extremely high internal pressures expanding between the base ring 5 and top frame ring Be.

An intermediate ring Ill serves as a base for tub I, and top frame ring 6a is chambered to flt the upper tub rim attention being directed to the fact that the tub I is loosely fitted in the chambered top frame ring to and rests without fastening on the intermediate ring II) to allow for self alignment and expansions within the frame.

Operative within the tub 1 is a piston comprising a foraminous diaphragm ll having a plurality of small openings l2 therethrough and one or more larger openings I3 which are preferably inclined with respect to the direction of movement so that when the diaphragm is moved upwardly or downwardly there will be a by-pass of water through the openings of the diaphragm the larger opening causing a churning movement of the water in the. tub.

A foraminous top I4 is provided for the diaphragm ll.

A cushioning structure in the form of a bladder I5 is arranged at or near the lid I1 forming the top of the tub. It is provided with an automatic check valve I 5 permitting air to be drawn in when the baldder is inflated but preventing the escape of air.

The bladder inflates itselfupon a downward stroke of the diaphragm II which is performed with a sufflcient velocity to produce a reduced pressure in the space above the diaphragm. During such inflation air is drawn in through the check valve l5 which i not allowed to escape if pressure is applied against the inflated bladder. The bladder thus forms a resilient cushion adapting itself to the shape of the bundle of objects to be laundered, when said bundle is pressed and squeezed by the returning diaphragm.

A plug I8 is disposed in the lid l1 and through this passes a soap dispenser; the plug also serves as a guide for the bladder l5.

At the bottom 9 is an inlet gooseneck for water. 21 denotes an outlet sump communicating with the tub by means of a valve 28 which is operated by a solenoid 29.

Numeral 39 denotes an overflow box having an overflow pipe 3| rising therein so as to maintain the water content of the tub 1 at a certain level. Numeral 32 denotes a drain pipe leading from the box 39 to the drain sump 21. The sump 21 has an outlet pipe 33 which may be connected with a motor driven pump (indicated at 1| in Figure 5). The piston moving within the tub moreover comprises a hollow column 84 havin its upper end secured to the underside of the diaphragm II. This column passes through a packing gland arranged at the bottom 9 of the tub 1.

The lower portion of the column 34 is internally threaded as at 35 and extending upwardly into the column 34 is a screw-shaft 31 with which the threads 38 engage.

A thrust bearing 33 is supported by springs 39, x

49, the end portions of which are bent downwardly and upwardly as clearly shown in Figure 1, the lower spring 39 having its ends resting upon a bar 4|, while stop fingers 42 on certain of the posts 5 have the ends of the spring 49 abutting the same. These springs support an electric motor 43 which drives a worm 44 and this worm, in turn, meshes with a gear 45 at the lower end of the screw-shaft 31.

Motor reversing switches are generally referred to by numerals 46, 41, the switch 46 being operated by the lower end of the column 34, while the switch 41 is operated by a finger 49 projecting from the spring structures 39, 40.

Supported by one of the posts 5 are bracket arms 49 supporting a box 50 which may serve to contain a number of the electrical devices which will be hereinafter described.

It can here be seen, that the lid I1 is preferably secured in place upon the ring 6a supported by,

on switch 54, Fig. 5, is used to release extraction pressure.

Referring to the diagrammatic view Figure 5. it can be seen that numeral 55 denotes a cam controlled selector with a number of switches. Each of the switches may be of any appropriate construction, but preferably tiltable mercury switches are used as shown in Figure 7 at c. The mercury switches are provided with a projecting arm or a cam follower b, and each of said arms is operated by a cam disk a (see Figure '1) These cams a are all mounted on a common shaft d operated by a time controlled or clock mechanism 55.

' The switches 55 are individually denoted by reference characters 51, 53, 59, 59, 51 and 52.

The motor 43 for operating the shaft 31 (Fig. 1) has a field coil 53 which can be reversed by a reversing switch mechanism 54, provided with a pair of actuating solenoids 55, 55.

Numeral 61 denotes the current supply which extends to one side of each of the switches 51 to 62, inclusive.

Switch 51 is connected by a conductor 53 to the contacts of the reversing switch 54 controlling the connections of the field winding 63 with the armature of the motor 43. The latter is connected with the return conductor 11. The safety or limit switch 54 is preferably inserted into the connection leading to the armature. This switch is also provided with means 54a for operating it by hand. Switch 58 is connected by way of a conductor 69 to the reversing switch solenoid 55. Switch 59 is connected to the pump motor aggregate 1|.

The switches 60 and Si are connected by conductors 12, 13 to solenoid coil 14, 15, these in turn being connected by a conductor 18 to return side 11 of the system.

The solenoid coils 14 and 15 are controlling the supply of hot and cold water to the tub 1. When the motor 43 is in operation, the shaft 31 is rotated and this moves the piston with its diaphragm I l upwardly. At the start of this opera tion the switch 45 is closed and the switch 41 is open. When the clothes are bein compressed between the diaphragm II and the cushion i5, at 'a certain pressure, the springs 49, 39 will yield downwardly, closin the contacts of switch 41 with the result that the reversing switch mechanism generally referred to by numeral 54, (see Figure 5) is reversed, reversing the field 53 of the motor 43 so that the screw-shaft 31 is rotated in the opposite direction for lowering the column 34. In the event the reversing switch 54 fails to operate, continued lowering of the springs 39, 49 will result in the bearing 38 engaging the safety or limit switch 54, thus automatically stopping the-motor as is the case on final extracting squeeze.

When the washing apparatus has thus performed over a period of time controlled by the selector switch 59 which is suitably constructed and adjusted, said switch closes the circuit 15 which will serve to pump water from the tub 1, after which the switch 59 will come into play followed by the switch 6| to take care of rinsing water. The final stageiis the cut out operation of the switch 52 interrupting the current flowing through coil 63 causing pressure to build up and further depression of the springs 39, 40 result with. the switch 54 opening and disrupting the motor circuit. This result in holding a squeeze pressure on the clothes, ending the washing. rinsing and water extracting operations.

assspeo The clothes are removed, by first turning the dial of the selector switch mechanism clock 50 and pushing the switch 54 (which is provided with a hand control 54a) with the result that pressure is released so that the cover II of the tub can be removed.

The reversing switch mechanism 04 may employ a contactor 64a rockably mounted, the same being of Y-shape with its upper leg disposed at opposite sides of a roller 04b carried by the core unit No of the solenoid 65, 65. Switch 04 is permanently in the motor circuit and is not ail'ected by the opening or closing of switches l0, 41.

Admission of water to the tub I is obtained by means of the inlet neck 26 (see Figure '1). In Figure 14 I9 denotes a shut off valve, while numeral denotes an automatic valve controlled by a solenoid I4, the same, in turn, being responsive to the operation of the selector switch 0|.

Figure ll discloses a hydraulic type of mechanism replacing the springs 39, 40 shown in Fi ure 1. In this form of the invention a diaphragm carrying column 34a is actuated by a screw-shaft corresponding to the shaft 31 in Figure 1 which is mounted upon the lower portion of a U-shaped bridge 85 having laterally disposed leg ends resting on collars 81 carried by vertical piston rods 08, each having a piston operating in a ram or cylinder 90. in which is some hydraulic fluid 0 I. A nut 92 and a washer 93 are situated at the upper end of each rod 09 and a coiled compression spring 04 is interposed between each washer 93 and the corresponding bridge end 06, Hydraulic lines 94 extend from the cylinders 90 to a pressure gauge switch 95, this pressure gauge switch being shown in detail in Figure and diagram matically in Figure 12.

The pressure gauge switch may be of any known construction with contacts arranged in the manner shown in Figure 10. A normal pressure gauge may be used which actuates a shaft IOI. On said shaft a fibre arm I02 carrying' a contact element I00 is mounted and turns with the shaft which is operated by the gauge (not shown). The gauge switch is surrounded by a casing 91 which contains two contacts I05 and I05 adapted to come into contact with the contact element I00 in two positions of the gauge. A normally closed switch 98 is opened by the fibre arm I02 when the pressure has risen to a certain high value which is above that at which the contact element I00 contacts contact I05. The central portion of the contact element I00 has a connection I03 to a bindin post which, in turn, is connected by a jumper I04 to the first selector cam switch 51a of the selector cam switch mechanism generally referred by reference character 55a.

Briefly, the circuits in conjunction with the gauge switch are shown in Figure 10, but only reference in connection with this Figure 10 will be made to space contacts I05 and I06 with which the contactor I02 is engageable, these contacts being adjustable within the casing with respect to each other. The pressure gauge switch 55 is shown in the system more clearly in Figure 12 wherein it can be seen that one of the contacts I06 connects to one solenoid 65a of a motor reversing switch mechanism generally referred to,

by reference character 64a while the other contact I05 connects by a jumper I0'I to one side "of a switch I08 operated by the shaft of the seiect'or cam switch mechanism 55a. side of this switch I08 is connected by a jumper I00 to the other solenoid 65a of the reversing switch mechanism Ila with which the motor a is connected, and the field "a of which is reversed thereby.

Referring further to Figure 12, it can be seen that the positive current supply IIO goes to the switch mechanism "a and also by way of a switch "I to one contact of the switch 00 of the pressure gauge switch 05, the other side of the switch 00 which is normally closed being connected by a conductor II2 to the switch 50a of the switch mechanism a. The switch III is an auxiliary switch which, as is shown in Figure 10, includes a contactor I I3 carried by the column a and a stationary contact Ill positioned in the path of the contactor I I3.

It can be seen further in Figure 12, that the switch 59a is connected with a pump motor Ila, while switches 6Ia and 62a take care of the hot and cold water inlet solenoids Ila and 15a.

When the operation of the switch system. shown in Figure 12 first starts, the contactor I02 of the pressure gauge switch 95 will be in contact with contact I 05. The contactor then moves to positions corresponding to higher pressures with the increasing gauge pressure from the rams or cylinders 90 when the diaphragm II starts to squeeze the bundle or objects which are laundered. When the diaphragm in the tub squeezes the clothes bundle to a point in which the contactor I02 engages the contact I05 this results in the energization of the reversing switch solenoid 65a over contacts I00 of the clock mechanism 55a. The motor reverse switch 64a is now thrown to move the diaphragm downwardly and contact is again made with the contact I00 by the contact I02 after the diaphra m has reached the lower part of the stroke and this is accomplished by way of the auxiliary switch I II which ha contacts I I3 and H4 (see Figures 10 and 11). In practical operation the pressure on the pressure gauge would have a tendency to suddenly drop and cause the diaphragm to fluctuate if it were not for the presence oi this auxiliary switch. The washing operation continues for say five minutes and the clock operated selector switch mechanism 5511 has turned to a point to open the switch I08 breaking the circuit so that the contactor I02 has no effect onthe contact I 05. This results in the continual building up of pressure until the projecting portion of the fiber arms I02a on which the contactor I02 i fixed continues on to break the switch 90, thus opening the motor circuit.

Figure 9 shows means for use in conjunction with the external automatic water charger shown in Figure 3. This water charger is generally re- The other ferred to by numeral 5 and consists of a tank I I5, the same having a drain nipple IIG dependin from its bottom and with which a pipe can be connected to the gooseneck 25 at the bottom of the tub I, A valve II I is engageable with the drain of the tank H5 and a stem IIB rises from this valve III, extending through a guide IIQ (Figure 3) and is operated by the core I20 of the solenoid I4, the latter being mounted on a bracket I22. at the upper portion of the tank H5. The tank II5 has an overflow I23.

Hot and cold water supply pipes I24, I25 lead to the tank H5 and each has a hand controlled valve therein. At the inside of the tank H5. these supply lines I24 and I25 are equipped with valves I26 and I21, the valve I25 for hot water being controlled by the solenoid I5 or in the modification shown in Figures 9 and 12 by the assume 4 solenoid a. The other valve I2! is operated by a fioat I28. Both hot and cold inlets may be float operated needing no thermostats or solenoids.

In the modification shown in Figure 13, thermostats I29 and I30 are employed. Switches are associated with these thermostats each including a finger I3I and these fingers are capable of being adjusted by a hand adjustment I32.

This thermostatic solenoid valve control is for direct feed to the tub. Figure 14 shows the type of solenoid operated valve, this is an alternative to the external tank feed, Figures 9 and 3.

In place of the springs 39, 40 and the hydraulic modification shown in Figure 11, a beam type of actuatin means may be employed such as that shown in Figure 16. This form consists of a base I34 upon which a block I35 is secured and this has a pair of fulcrum points I36, I3! thereon supporting or fulcruming a pair of bars I38, I39, respectively, the outer ends of which are adapted to operate rams in the instance of the modification shown in Figure 11, while the inner ends of these beams or bars I38, I39 are engaged by depending bosses I40 and Ill, respectively, on a block I42 at the lower end of the screw-shaft 31b corresponding to the screw-shaft 31 of the form of the invention shown in Figure l.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

l. A washing apparatus including a tub closed by a lid and fixedly supported on a frame structure and a foraminous piston movable within said tub and provided with ports, comprising a tube with a screw threaded portion at its lower end, attached to said piston, a cushioning bladder at the upper end of said tub attached to the lid, a screw spindle engaging the threads of the tube, means for rotating said screw spindle, including gear wheels and a reversible electric motor, operative circuits for both directions of rotation of the said reversible motor, a resilient spring base structure, fixedly held by the supporting structure and yieldably carrying said screw spindle, tube, piston and the means for rotating the spindle, means carried by the said resilient yieldable base structure for automatically reversing the direction of' rotation of the motor, and further means for reversing the direction of rotation of the electric motor upon completion of the return movement of the said tube and piston, both last named means including control contact pairs, each having a fixed contact and a further contact, said further contact being operated by the yieldable base structure and by the tube respectively.

2. A washing apparatus, including a tub fixedly supported on a supporting frame structure and further including a load carrying foraminous piston movable within the tub, comprising a closure member for the tub, a compressible cushioning means attached to said closure member, adapted to exert an increasing counter pressure when compressed by the load carried by the piston moved toward the closure member, means for moving said piston within said tub, including a threaded tube carrying the invention, what is piston and a screw spindle engaging said threaded tube, means for driving said screw spindle in two directions, including a reversible electric motor and operative circuits for said electric motor, a resilient base structure, fixedly held by the supporting frame structure and yieldably carrying said screw spindle, tube, piston, and said means for driving the spindle, means mounted on said resilient yieldable base structure for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the reversible motor driving the screw spindle upon a predetermined back pressure exerted by the load pressed against the cushioning means and transmitted by means of said tube and spindle to the yieldable resilient base structure, electrically controlled operating means for said automatic reversing means, said automatic reversing means including control contact pairs, controlling the electromagnetic operating means for the automatic reversing means of the electric motor, each of said contact pairs having a fixed contact fixed on the supporting frame structure and a further contact, one of said further contacts being operated by the resilient yieldable base structure and the other being operated by the movable tube respectively, the former contact engaging its fixed contact in the uppermost position of said piston upon production of a back pressure deforming the yieldable base structure and the latter contact engaging its fixed contact upon movement of the tube to the lowermost position.

3. An automatic washing machine comprising a tub, carried by a fixed supporting frame structure closed by a closure member, a load carrying foraminous piston movable within said tub and provided with ports, means forreciproeating said piston within said tub including a threaded tube and a spindle engaging the same, compressible cushioning means held by said closure member and forming a counter support for the load pressed against it by the piston, means for driving said piston reciprocating means, including a reversible electric motor, a field circuit for said motor, a switch for changing the direction of current flow in the field circuit, and the direction of rotation of the motor, solenoids for operating the switch, operative circuits for said solenoids, a clock controlled electric switch provided with contacts controlling the operative solenoid circuits, a resilient base structure for carrying the piston and its reciprocating means, contacts operated upon deformation of the said resilient base structure by the counter pressure exercised on the piston by the load pressed against the cushioning means, and further contacts operated by the reciprocating means at the end of the outside movement of the piston, said contacts controlling the operative solenoid circuits selecting the direction of motion of the piston driving means.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 3 in which the piston is provided with a number of small ports and with large openings inclined with respect to the direction of movement.

5. A washing machine comprising a tub fixedly supported on a frame structure and provided with a closure member, a piston provided with ports reciprocable within said tub, means for reciprocating the piston, including a threaded tube and a spindle engaging the same, a reversible electric motor for driving said reciprocating means in either direction, compressible cushioning means on the closure member at the end of the tub, a resilient base structure carrying aoaaaoo the piston, the piston reciprocating means, and

the driving means for the same, hydraulic cylinders carrying said resilient base structure, a pressure switch operated by the pressure in the hydraulic cylinders, said pressure switch being provided with a number of controlling contacts, operative circuits for the reversible electric motor, a reversing switch and electromagnetic means for operating the same including solenoids, for controlling said operative circuits and for reversing the direction of current flow through the reversing electric motor, and an operative circuit for the solenoids of the reversing switch controlled by the contacts of the pressure switch.

6. A washing apparatus including a tub, a fixed frame structure for carrying the same, a closure means for said tub, a foraminous piston movable within the tub, a tube provided with a threaded portion at its lower end attached to the piston, a cushioning compressible bladder at the upper end of the tub attached to the closure means, a screw spindle engaging the threads of the tube, means for rotating aid screw spindle, including a reversible electric motor, operative circuits for both directions of rotation of the motor, a reversing switch and electromagnetic operating means for the same including solenoids, controlling said motor circuits, operating circuits for said solenoids, a resilient base structure for carrying said screw spindle, tube, piston, and the means for driving the spindle, said base structure including resilient springs attached to said spindle and spring holding means on said fixed frame, a pair of contact springs with one contact operated by said spindle, a finger laterally projecting from said tube to operate said con- 10 tact, the second contact of the pair being held by the frame structure, a further contact pair with a fixed contact carried by the frame structure and a further contact operated by theresilient base structure when subjected to counter pressure of the load applied against the cushioning means, and a safety and limit switch, operated by the spindle and adapted for operation in the extreme outward position of the spindle deforming the resilient base structure beyond the predetermined limit, said switch cutting off the operating circuit of the motor and stopping the latter when'operated.

DAVID F. BERNHARDT.'

REFERENCES CITED- The following references are of record in the file of this patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 98,823 Weed Jan. '11, 1870 102,512 De Witt May 3, 1870 702,355 Boorman June 10, 1902 1,292,780 Hoover Jan. 28, 1919 2,126,365 Alexopoulos Aug. 9, 1938 ,147,303 Lang Feb. 14, 1939 2,207,926 Lang July 16, 1940 2,208,830 Bassett July 23, 1940 2,265,516 Chayie Dec. 9, 1941 2,292,833 Hays Aug. 11, 1942 2,325,837 Dyer Aug. 3, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 422,793 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1936 

